Two more qualifiers for the World Cup will be determined on Sunday evening when the second leg of two of the European play-offs are played out on what is a massive night for the four countries involved in the action.
There was controversy and plenty of action in the first legs of these two ties and given the magnitude of the matches that may well be replaced with nerves, tension and stacks of drama.
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Switzerland vs Northern Ireland
Switzerland took a controversial lead in the tie with a first leg 1-0 win borne about largely by a ridiculous penalty decision which rightly has Northern Ireland smarting heading into this second leg.
You have to make the Swiss favourites to progress now. Northern Ireland have to score in this second leg but they are not a side that is set up to play open and expansive football but unless they can pinch something from a set-piece then at some point they will have to open up and go against their natural instincts.
That should in theory play into the hands of the Swiss outfit. We saw in the first leg that they are comfortably the better of these two sides and they should actually be much further ahead in this contest than they are. When Ireland open up I expect the Swiss to take advantage and win this second leg and ensure a comfortable path into the World Cup.
Greece vs Croatia
Croatia took a humungous step towards the World Cup when they won the first leg 4-1 and you would think they only have to stay solid in this second match to confirm their spot in Russia next year. Greece have to do a repair job that they may not be cut out to do.
If it could go wrong for Greece in that first leg it did do and now they have to come out and go totally against the way they usually play knowing they have to score three times to have any chance of going through. The only way they are going to do that is by taking plenty of risks.
That should play into the hands of the classier Croatians who have the ability to soak up pressure and the potency to kill sides off when they are in front of goal. They don’t need to win this match Croatia but I believe they are perfectly good enough to seal their qualification in style.
Tips
Back Switzerland (-1AH) to beat Northern Ireland for a 4/10 stake at 1.82 with BetVictor
Back Croatia (-0.25AH) to beat Greece for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with BetVictor
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